Introduction

Climate of the Earth system

Prof. Dr. Markus Meier
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)
E-Mail: markus.meier@io-warnemuende.de

Introduction#

Earth System Science for the Baltic Sea Region#

Better way to show figures, so that text can be on the left/right?

  • the Baltic Sea region:

    • Area of the Basin: \(2.13*10^6~km^2\) (20% of the European continent)

    • Area of the Baltic Sea: \(380~000~km^2\)

    • 85 million people in 14 countries

    • Variable climate and topography

    • Considerable seasonal, inter-annual, decadal and long-term variations

    • Unique, challenging region for climate and environmental studies (data, models and observations, budgets)

    • Environmental issues of concern Earth system science treat the Earth as an integrated system and seeks a deeper understanding of the physical, chemical, biological and human interactions that determine the past, current and future states of the Earth.

Fig. 1: Salinity of the Baltic Sea as an example of its high variability.

Fig. 2: Sketch of the Integrated Biogeochemistry Model System as an example of the complexity of the natural process happening.